Government Minister confirms Yorkshire’s position as UK’s leading offshore wind destination
mercredi, 10 mars 2010
Developers of the largest Round 3 off shore wind farms in the UK encouraged manufacturers and suppliers to take advantage of the UK’s position to stake a claim in an industry that is expected to stimulate up to £20bn of new investment in the UK.
Business delegates attended an event to hear about the opportunities offshore wind farms off the coast of Yorkshire and the Humber will provide.
Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and The Crown Estate held the UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain Event at Doncaster Racecourse.
The event gave regional businesses the chance to hear from Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband and industry representatives about the future of offshore wind in the region.
The video below shows Eddie O’Connor, founder and Chief Executive of Mainstream Renewable Power (MRP) speaking at The Crown Estate Offshore Wind Event on 26th February 2010.
Yorkshire Forward is the only one of England’s nine regional development agencies to have committed to a target of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2016.
Meeting national targets for renewables is expected to stimulate up to £20bn of new investment in the UK, and install 2,000MW of new generating capacity in Yorkshire and the Humber alone.
SMart Wind, the developer of the Hornsea zone, which is a joint venture between Siemens Project Ventures - a division of Siemens Financial Services - and Mainstream Renewable Power, outlined what it is they need from their supply chains in order to build the wind zone.
Regionally based companies including manufacturers, major consulting engineers, project managers, service organisations such as vessel operators and ports, knowledge based and training organisations, as well as potential inward investors to the region, learnt about the wider supply chain requirements and the support available to make the most of this and other industry opportunities.
Yorkshire’s new Advanced Engineering and Materials (AEM) Innovation Network will support the supply chain for the turbines, towers and blades. The supply chain for the balance of plant - foundations, cables, offshore substation, scour protection, vessel operations, environmental impact, engineering and project management - will be supported by Yorkshire Forward and its relevant sector networks.
Hornsea wind farm, off the coast of the Humber, has a total area of 4,735 sq km and the width is equal to the width of the UK from Liverpool to Hull. It will provide 4GW which will contribute to the UK target of 15% renewable energy by 2020. In total it will provide enough electricity to meet 4% per cent of all electricity demand in the UK, providing power to approximately 3m homes.
Tom Riordan, chief executive of Yorkshire Forward, said: "We are well placed to take advantage of the offshore opportunities this vast renewable energy infrastructure holds, because of our regional strengths. Our location, including harbour and ports, marine experience, skill base, and engineering capabilities are excellent.
"We will ensure that our region’s businesses make the most of the opportunities this growing industry presents and we encourage them to plan and to act now.”
Meanwhile, a team representing the Humber region also promoted the area's capability of supporting onshore and offshore wind farms during a trade mission to Denmark.
Members of Team Humber Marine Alliance (THMA) were on the lookout for renewables business with one of the world’s leading wind energy countries during the trip.
In collaboration with Enterprise Europe Yorkshire, THMA represented more than 80 Humber firms and promoted the region's collective capability to support the operation and maintenance of onshore and offshore wind farms.
The video below shows Roger Bright CB, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate who manage The Crown property portfolio, which includes the offshore sea bed off the coast of Hornsea.